The copyright owner (usually the artist or their music publisher) owns the exclusive rights to sell digital music. To legally sell digital music, you need to obtain a license from the copyright owner.
There are a few different types of licenses that you may need, depending on the specific circumstances.
Master recording license:
This license grants the right to sell recordings of the musical work, such as MP3s or WAV files.
Mechanical license:
This license grants the right to sell physical copies of the musical work, such as CDs or LPs.
Synchronization license:
This license grants the right to use the musical work in synchronization with visual images, such as in a movie or TV show.
There are a few different ways to obtain a license to sell digital music. You can contact the copyright owner directly, or you can work through a music licensing agency. A music licensing agency is a company that represents the rights of copyright owners and can issue licenses on their behalf.
The cost of a license will vary depending on the specific circumstances and the type of license that you need. For example, a mechanical license for a single song may cost a few dollars, while a synchronization license for a movie or TV show could cost thousands of dollars.
It is important to obtain the necessary licenses before selling digital music. If you sell digital music without a license, you may be infringing on the copyright owner's rights and could be subject to legal action.